Isaiah 22:22 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:22

The symbol of authority. The "key on the shoulder" is no mere badge of the steward's office; it represents delegated authority. Large wooden locks and keys were used in the East, and these keys were heavy enough to need carrying on the shoulder. But the expression is best regarded as a recognized figure of speech. The figure may receive four illustrations. I. THE KEY OF COURT OFFICE . As in case of Eliakim. II. THE KEY OF RABBIS , AS TEACHERS . Remember the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:22

And the key - A key is that by which a house is locked or opened. To possess that is, therefore, to have free access to it, or control over it. Thus we give possession of a house by giving the “key” into the hands of a purchaser, implying that it is his; that he has free access to it; that he can close it when he pleases, and that no other one, without his permission, has the right of access to it.Of the house of David - Of the house which David built for his royal residence; that is, of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 22:20-22

Isaiah 22:20-22. I will call my servant Eliakim By my Spirit fitting him for the work, and moving the heart of Hezekiah to call him to it. And I will clothe him with, thy robe, &c. There was a peculiar sort of robe and girdle, which was the badge of his office, which should be taken from him and given to Eliakim. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem He shall not only have the authority of a father, which thou now hast, but he shall govern them with fatherly care... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 22:1-25

Jerusalem besieged (22:1-25)In Judah, the land where the prophet had his visions of judgment on other nations, he recalls one of God’s judgments on Judah, namely, the Assyrians’ siege of Jerusalem. On that occasion the city was saved only through the faith of Hezekiah and Isaiah (2 Kings 18:13-19:37).Ignoring the gracious intervention of God that had miraculously saved them, the people celebrate as if they had won the victory themselves. Isaiah is disgusted at the light-hearted attitude of the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 22:22

so = and. open and. shut. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for power of administration. Compare Revelation 3:7 , which shows that the fulfilment culminates in Messiah. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 22:22

Isaiah 22:22. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder— In the former verses the prophet declares the investiture of Eliakim with the office and dignities of Shebna, as well as the goodness of Eliakim's disposition. He here says metaphorically, that the keys of the house of David shall be upon his shoulder: i.e. the entire government and administration of the house: so the Chaldee paraphrast explains it. This has been often and justly applied to the Lord JESUS. See Rev 3:7... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:22

22. key—emblem of his office over the house; to "open" or "shut"; access rested with him. upon . . . shoulder—So keys are carried sometimes in the East, hanging from the kerchief on the shoulder. But the phrase is rather figurative for sustaining the government on one's shoulders. Eliakim, as his name implies, is here plainly a type of the God-man Christ, the son of "David," of whom Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6) uses the same language as the former clause of this verse. In Isaiah 9:6- :, the same... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 22:22

Eliakim would bear authority to administer the affairs of David’s royal house, which the key on the shoulder symbolizes. His decisions would be binding, as when one unlocks or locks a door with a key (cf. Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18; Revelation 3:7). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 22:15-25

Denunciation of ShebnaThis section contains Isaiah’s only invective against an individual. He denounces Shebna, the king’s chief minister, who may have been a leader of the party which favoured alliance with Egypt. The prophecy was delivered before Sennacherib’s invasion (701 b.c.), because at that time we read that Eliakim held the office Isaiah here promises him, while Shebna occupied a subordinate position (Isaiah 36:3; Isaiah 37:2).15-25. The deposition of Shebna. The elevation of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 22:22

(22) And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder . . .—The key of the king’s treasure-chambers and of the gates of the palace was the natural symbol of the chamberlain’s or vizier’s office, and, as in Isaiah 9:6, it was solemnly laid upon the shoulder of the new official, perhaps as representing the burden of the responsibilities of the duties of his office. In the “keys of the kingdom of heaven,” in Matthew 16:19, and again in Revelation 3:7, as also in the custom of... read more